Laboratory animals welfare issues: a scientific and legislative perspectiveGianpaolo MiliteDVM, M.Sc

Moscow, October 17th 2012

Driven by a concept.

“Animal welfare is a value of the Union that is enshrined in Article 13 of Treaty on the

Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)”

Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 september 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Art 2.

A long way to change and improve…

Directive 86/609/CEE Directive 63/2010 UE

In 2007 Recommendationsfrom the EU Commission

24 years since the first Directive and the last 11 dedicated to develop the new Directive.

Few numbers……

Directive 86/609/CEE

27 articles

22 pages

2 Annex

Directive 63/2010 UE

66 articles

47 pages

8 Annex56 Introductory

statements…..

1. Mouse (Mus musculus)

2. Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

3. Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus)

4. Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

5. Chinese Hamster (Cricetulus griseus)

6. Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

7. Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

8. Dog (Canis familiaris)

9. Cat (Felis catus)

10. All non human primates

11.Frogs [Xenopus (laevis, tropicalis), Rana (temporaria,

pipiens)]

12.Zebra Fish (Danio rerio)

Directive 2010/63/UE

Interesting to note that the Quail disappeared from the list!!!!

An important point.

•In Annex VI

List of points to be mentioned in any experimental protocol:

……..10. Housing, husbandry and care

conditions for the animals.……...

In terms of husbandry, caging etc.

Rats

Rabbits

The scientific issue of welfare

•Is a matter of performance standard of the equipment.

•In other words it means: the study of any impact due to the housing environment on animal welfare

Welfare indicators• appearance, • body weight, • coat condition, • posture, • gait, • activity levels, • interaction with the environment and clinical signs,• feeding behaviour,• drinking behaviour,• defecation,• Urination,• cortisole,• breeding performances….

TIZ-BIFO EuropeanGuidelines on IVCs

Conclusions

•The new European Legislation is focusing on animal welfare at 360 degree, directly (animal housing, environment etc.) and indirectly through the request for specialized dedicated staff.

•The only apparent limited changes in the new legislation represents a revolution in the approach to animal experiment.